What it’s like to live rural - my country cottage experience (2023)

Introduction

What it’s like to live rural - my country cottage experience

I’m so happy to share that my book - The Cottage Fairy Companion - is now available for pre-order!
Amazon: amzn.to/3wUuaKA
Also available at my local bookstore, Trail’s End Books: www.trailsendbookstore.com/book/9781642509793
Other purchase options (including international) available on my linktree: linktr.ee/the_cottage_fairy

Just wanted to share some pros and cons (depending on how you look at it) of living rural and how it has affected me in many ways. Primarily in the area of rethinking what is necessary for comfortable living, and how important it is to have interests and hobbies that add quality to your life. Sending love and light.

A reminder to new subscribers: the visuals of this video is one of my art forms, I love to create a dreamy, peaceful escape into my home environment. I’d love to spend all my days like this but I do need to work most of the time 🤍 as I said in an earlier video I like to portray home life not always as it is, but how it could be from different angles, perspectives, and mindsets. If we don’t take moments to dream of other realities, then we never get to exercise our imaginations, and that is something I can never live without.

🦋Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_cottage_fairy/
🦊🍄Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/thecottagefairyart

❤️ No obligation whatsoever, but if you would like to donate to support this channel. $8 will get a thank you postcard (my own art) from me in the mail (please note: you must include address in your note so I can send it!). It is much appreciated: www.paypal.com/donate

🌌 My brother, Rohan, just came back from Australia. He has a channel now! linktr.ee/rohan_merrill

📚Do you love audiobooks? If so, I would love to refer you (as a former bookseller) to an alternative to Audible that supports small local bookshops and communities! Learn more here: libro.fm/referral

Business inquiries: endymionmerrill@gmail.com
Only business related e-mails please, I see all my YouTube comments so feel free to ask your questions there and I will answer if I am able 🙏

All music found at: www.epidemicsound.com/referral/dhkfzn/
(Get a month free with my referral code)

Calendula Salve Recipe Example: homesteadandchill.com/homemade-calendula-salve-recipe/
(I usually infuse fresh calendula in oil for months before I use it to maximize the benefits, but I had used all mine up so I used this quicker method)

The tea I am using is called a ‘tea ball’ or ‘blooming tea’ and is a wrapped up tea flower. I recommend going to a local tea shop! Here is an example: amzn.to/3cHULCg

A favorite children’s book of mine (featured in video): amzn.to/3jfGcXG

Jars similar to the ones I use in this video: amzn.to/3pOIDTs

Fairytale book I’m reading (different cover): amzn.to/36Xne3l

The NRDC: act.nrdc.org
200 Trees planted through: onetreeplanted.com

It takes 2 minutes to help protect the environment, no donations necessary, only your support: www.audubon.org/

Some links I use may be affiliate, meaning that I make a very small commission off a sale.

Keywords: journey to a simple life,my journey to a simple life,journey to a simple sustainable life,leaving the city life,starting a new life,rethinking my life,how to make your life more peaceful, slow lifestyle vlog,how to slow down,leading a quiet peaceful life,finding happiness within yourself,how to find happiness within,living a rural lifestyle,the country lifestyle,peaceful life videos,finding meaning in difficult times

Video

Salutations, at the time, of making this video.

It is 7 a.m when I wake up every single morning..

not buying my own accord.

So much as that my dog Aegir decides around this time that I have slept long enough.

Let me know.

If your schedule is also dictated by animals..

Today.

I wanted to reflect a bit on what my home has taught me -.

These are my personal experiences, and they have guided me, in many ways.

One thing I quickly learned once I moved is that your space complements your happiness but can't necessarily sustain.

It.

My cottage taught me that I, am responsible for my own satisfaction in life.

We, often fill our minds with what-ifs and dreams of living somewhere.

Beautiful that melts away our troubles..., but from my experience.

This isn't an effective long-term remedy.

The excitement of living here.

Temporarily, distracted me from my troubles, but eventually I had to face them.

If I didn't, the void in my spirit, would poison each new environment I.

Found.

Forcing me to keep moving and trying new things in order to outrun personal growth.

As a side note I know some people were wondering how and where I shower, and the answer is kind of strange..

in the summertime.

I have a little outdoor extension that works really well, but in the winter, when it's cold and I can't have heated water I go to a tiny house that is actually connected to the property and right behind my cottage.

It is currently empty, and so I'm able to use the facilities.

Something else I learned is that some inconveniences are a matter of perspective...

It can be easy to see a flushing toilet, a stable internet, connection, and various other resources as necessary for comfortable living.

This may be true for some people and I absolutely respect their preference.

As.

For me, I have found much freedom in altering my mindset away from wants and towards needs.

I.

Don't have a shower inside my cottage, I use a compost, toilet and I have to take a short walk every day in order to get a stable connection to the internet.

I.

Do my work on my computer and - increasingly - disconnect for the rest of the day.

Don't.

Get me wrong.

I love technology and it is a wonderful resource., At home I use it intentionally, listening to audiobooks, watching pre-downloaded videos and documentaries.

I try to use technology in a way that benefits me and makes me feel more energized instead of inadequate and mentally dull.

(Which I find I feel sometimes after staring at my phone for a long time).

This is only my experience and, of course, I would love to hear yours.

Another inconvenience.

I've learned to deal with is looking forward to traveling out of town in order to buy bulk groceries.

Food in town is a bit limited and expensive.

So I try to stock up when I can.

I've had friends who visit who have found these inconveniences very troublesome since they're used to having these things available.

All the time.

I've come to see these limitations as a small price to pay for all the other resources available to me..., such as endless hiking, trails, substantial land to use for gardening, and, honestly, the beauty of the mountains and forests and grasslands..

that being said, rural living is definitely not for everyone.

One of the biggest lessons I've learned from my cottage is that boredom is not only underrated.

It is a tool that has endless potential for creativity and innovation.

When you take something out of your life, you often naturally fill it with something new..., the less time you spend on your phone or maybe doing other more mindless tasks.

The more you realize how important it is to have hobbies or interests that are your own..., be it learning new things like creating art, going on adventures, writing, planning., For, example, I would have never started my youtube channel or my etsy shop.

If I hadn't found myself without anything in particular to do in my free time!, So, I decided that I wanted to start working on making my passions into something that would help me sustain myself in the future.

Lastly.

My cottage has also reminded me to be ever more grateful.

I live in an environment of extremes, with burning hot summers and icy winters.

I'm, so grateful for warmth, windows, a furnace and winter I also recognize all the little blessings that have brought me to where I am and cherish each in my heart.

In a future video I wish to speak more on my unusual childhood and wonderful family.

Thank, you all for your lovely comments and support I truly wish I could reach out to each one of you and answer you personally.

While.

That is not possible for me.

Know that I read all that you send me and that I deeply appreciate it.

Sending my love, have a lovely day or night.